Start! Walking Today

SIOUX FALLS, SD -
If a walk after dinner sounds like it may be in order, you'll be joining thousands of people across the country doing the exact same thing. That's because Wednesday is National Start Walking Day.

The American Heart Association wants you to support the fight against heart disease and stroke by making the pledge to start walking and to become more active.

Employees at the Avera Heart Hospital ditched their desks and got out in the halls. They took the pledge to start being more healthy and laced up their walking shoes. Exercising just 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk of heart disease. And because nearly 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese and at risk for heart complications and stroke, walking can help save a life.

“There's even been some studies that show overweight people who exercise actually do better in some ways than skinny people who don't exercise. So exercise is very important and we strongly recommend it for everybody,” North Central Heart Cardiologist Dr. David Nagelhaut said.

If strengthening and improving your heart health isn't reason enough to start walking, consider this: physically active people save on average $500 a year in health care costs.